Braves claim right-hander Varvaro off waivers

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com

ATLANTA -- If Anthony Varvaro proves to be as valuable as Eric O'Flaherty has been, the Braves will certainly be happy about their latest attempt to enhance their organization's bullpen depth with a pitcher who had been deemed expendable by the Mariners.

Atlanta claimed Varvaro off waivers this week. Seattle had designated the 26-year-old right-handed reliever for assignment on Jan. 3.

When the Braves claimed O'Flaherty off waivers from the Mariners two years ago, he had already enjoyed some success at the Major League level. Varvaro's Major League experience is limited to the four appearances he made for Seattle this past season.

Varvaro posted a 4.02 ERA and registered 72 strikeouts while issuing 35 walks in 65 innings with Double-A West Tennessee and Triple-A Tacoma this past season.

Varvaro's fastball has rested around 93 mph and occasionally touched 95. The Mariners selected him in the 12th round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. He was projected to be selected within the first couple rounds before he blew out his elbow while pitching at St. John's University.

Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.